How couples improved their sex lives in just one week

A study discovered that couples reported higher satisfaction with sex and their relationship by focusing on this one thing. Amy Muise, the leader of the study, discusses more about her team's work in Science of Relationships. Following is a transcript of the video.

If you're looking to improve your sex life, here's a tip: Make a concerted effort with your partner to have sex.

Sound obvious? There's more to it: You have to focus on having the right kind of sex.

Past studies have found that two of the main reasons people have sex is: Either for intimacy, pleasure or other positive outcomes. Or, to avoid tension, disappointment, or other negative outcomes.

Having sex for the first reason leave couples more sexually satisfied and happier with their relationship overall. With this in mind, a team of researchers tested a new theory:

Could telling couples to have positive sex improve satisfaction?

They educated 94 people in relationships on the benefits of positive sex and then asked couples to focus on having positive sex by:

1) Compile a list with your partner or reasons for having positive sex

2) Each day think about a past sexual experience with your partner that you enjoyed

3) Send your partner a sexy text or email

4) Focus on having a good time during sex

After one week, the couples reported higher satisfaction with the sex and their relationship. These results could help couples with sexual issues.

“One of the long-term goals would be to build this into therapy for couples who are facing sexual issues.” -Amy Muise, Department of Psychology and Neuroscience at Dalhousie University